Laura Childs’ latest Scrapbooking Mysteries book is available! It’s called Gossamer Ghost, and it is set in New Orleans during Halloween festivities.

The book’s heroine, Carmela Bertrand, is the owner of a scrapbook store with a habit of tripping over over bodies – and then solving their murders. The French Quarter setting is spooky, and full of style (and unique characters).

In Gossamer Ghost, which is the thirteenth book in the bestselling Scrapbooking Mysteries series, Carmela discovers the dead body of the owner of a neighboring antiques shop. When the eccentric man’s fiancée begs Carmela for help solving the crime, she soon has a long list of suspects – and lots of creepy crafting to do, as Halloween is rapidly approaching! The book features recipes for classic Cajun favorites as well as instructions for fun craft projects. Continue Reading →

You might be thinking, “why would I want a square die cutting set when I can cut squares with my paper trimmer?” There’s a couple of reasons that die cutting squares has advantages. For one, it’s easier to get squares that are absolutely perfect and all exactly the same size – especially important if you are using them in a grid design together. Another advantage is that it is easier to place (or even center) a design in the middle of the square when you can place the die and then cut. Continue Reading →

It’s hard to believe, but earlier this week, Scrapbook Update passed the 10th anniversary of its existence on the internet!

Over the years the website – and the industry it serves – has gone through a lot of changes (even a name change) but some things have never changed: the loyalty of our readers and the passion I feel for papercrafting.

To celebrate, over the next few days we’re going to be running a few giveaways on the website to share a few of my current favorite items with you.

We’re starting off with a new discovery from the CHA PaperArts show in Atlanta in July. While there, I met some lovely ladies at a brand new stamp company called Pink & Main.

Pink & Main’s stamps are definitely targeted at card makers (although many could be useful for other projects as well) and have a very clean, simple and graphic/modern signature style. I fell in love immediately! Since the company was one of the participants in the Open Market event in Atlanta, I was able to bring some product home to try (and share with readers).

Are you ready for another National Scrapbook Day giveaway? This is a great one!

One lucky Scrapbook Update reader is going to win two sets of Memento Markers by Tsukineko, the Jelly Bean and Prime Time sets!

These dual-tip markers are so versatile…with a brush tip and fine point, you can journal, stamp and do so much more!

How To Enter: All you have to do to have a chance to be one of the lucky winners is leave a comment on this entry before noon eastern time on Monday, May 5th, 2014. Make sure you include your email address in the line reserved for it on the comment form (for your own protection, don’t put it in the text of the comment, where it will be visible to the public – just in the line labeled “email” in the form where only Scrapbook Update staff can see it). We will need it to notify you if you are a winner. Winners will be drawn by random drawing from all eligible entries. One entry per person. Open to U.S. and Canadian addresses only.

Keep checking back…we have two more giveaways coming tonight – including a huge final one!

Summer is almost upon us and that means it’s time to hit the pool and the beach…how about something scrappy and spooky to read while you lounge?

We’re giving away THREE copies of the latest scrapbook mystery book from Laura Childs, called Gilt Trip!

How To Enter: All you have to do to have a chance to be one of the lucky winners is leave a comment on this entry before noon eastern time on Monday, May 5th, 2014. Make sure you include your email address in the line reserved for it on the comment form (for your own protection, don’t put it in the text of the comment, where it will be visible to the public – just in the line labeled “email” in the form where only Scrapbook Update staff can see it). We will need it to notify you if you are a winner. Winners will be drawn by random drawing from all eligible entries. One entry per person. Open to U.S. and Canadian addresses only.

Stay tuned to Scrapbook Update…we still have at least one more giveaway to do today!